Film Influencer 2025 - Beast of War

New Australian film, Beast of War opened last night. Following The Reef (the sequel, The Reef: Stalked) and recently Dangerous Animals, Australia has a history of shark, horror films. We from time to time venture off to crocodile films. Like Rogue and Black Water.

But back to Beast of War. Part horror film, part Aussie war film.

When their boat is sunk while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, a young troop of Australian soldiers must find a way to survive the harsh seas on a quickly shrinking life raft. 

Hundreds of miles from anywhere, they must confront interpersonal conflicts, enemy attacks, and the advances of one very large, very hungry great white shark. 

Mystery Road: Origins lead Mark Coles Smith stars, alongside Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich, Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, Tristan McKinnon, & Aswan Reid.

Mark Coles Smith is again amazing. His character is also the guiding light throughout the close to 90 minute run time.

He is calm, strong and knows about sharks. We see flashbacks into his past, which give him the edge over the other soldiers.

Apparently a true story too. This was a full on, edge of your seat ride.

I enjoyed this a lot more than Him and some other films of late. As school holidays wrap, hopefully there will be some solid films leading into the summer slack period.

3 Stars for Beast of War.